It must have been a wise man who once said that: ‘A fear of heights is illogical. A fear of falling, on the other hand, is prudent and evolutionary.’ Perhaps…
Gear
Where should you stow your liferaft?
Wherever you cruise, you’ll most likely want to keep a liferaft on board in case of emergency – but where’s the best place to stow it? Duncan Kent makes some…
Are your bow roller and cleats strong enough?
We rely on bow rollers and cleats without giving them a second thought. Should we be paying them more attention? Alastair Buchan investigates
Video: Boom brakes and preventers tested
Boom brakes should help you to control the boom downwind. Duncan Kent finds out if they work
How to tie a soft shackle
Soft shackles can be used almost anywhere you currently use a conventional shackle. Look on any boat and you will usually find areas where a metal shackle has worn away…
What makes a good pair of binoculars?
Ken Endean reveals what you should look for, and what you should avoid, when investing in a new pair of binoculars
Reasons to be paranoid about diesel
As emission regulations tighten up and diesel gets more biocontent, Nigel Calder warns of potentially dire consequences for new yacht engines
Six ISO 9650 liferafts tested
Do manufacturers abide by the self-regulating ISO 9650 liferaft standard? Does the standard go far enough? Chris Beeson tests six liferafts to find out
What happens when they ban antifoul?
Some countries are threatening to ban the use of copper in antifouling by 2020 – but will other products take up the challenge? Duncan Kent reports
Essential mid-winter boat maintenance guide
Got that nagging feeling there's some maintenance you’ve forgotten to do before putting your boat to bed for the winter? Duncan Kent helps to jog your memory